Scientists found a tick preserved in amber, one that used to feed off the blood of dinosaurs.

It turns out that Jurassic Park was uncannily accurate—though the movies picked the wrong bugs. Scientists have now found evidence (trapped in amber, no less!) that ticks drank the blood of dinosaurs. A study paper presenting this discovery was released in the journal Nature Communications.

Ticks and Their Love for the Blood of Dinosaurs

“This study provides the most compelling evidence to date for ticks feeding on feathered animals in the Cretaceous,” states to Ryan C. McKellar, a paleontologist non involved with this study.

McKellar said that this research also demonstrates how much information a good researcher can get from a simple piece of amber.

The fossil in question holds a dinosaur feather. One that also comes with a fully-preserved tick attached to it. This by itself is notable, as it is pretty rare to find a fossil that has a parasite preserved along with its host. Finding them on their own is fairly common, however.

The tick in question was just a nymph, and the dinosaur that it was feeding on was apparently a fledgling itself. This latter was seemingly only about the size of a hummingbird.

David Grimaldi made the discovery. He is an entomologist at the American Museum of Natural History entomologist. The amber containing the dinosaur feather and tick fossil comes from Myanmar. Molecular data shows that the feather is at least 25 million years older than modern birds.

He says that the dinosaurs in question, which he called “nanoraptors,” lived in the trees. There, they ended up being caught in their resin. The same can be said about this tick, which was trying to suck the blood of dinosaurs. These little pests probably infested the larger species’ nests.

Two more of them were discovered covered in the microscopic hairs of a skin beetle. In modern times, this scavenges discarded feathers, hair, and skin from other animals. Scientists theorize that the beetles lived alongside the ticks, feeding off of dinosaurs along with them.

According to a new study, stressed cocoa trees could help produce more flavorful chocolate.

Did scientists just figure out a way to make chocolate more flavorful? Researchers have now discovered what they believe might be a new way of making this product even better. They observed that, under certain conditions, cocoa trees were able to produce a more flavorful chocolate. Some experts mentioned that this tasty treat is healthy when consumed in small portions.

How Stressed Cocoa Trees Could Help De-Stress Us

A team of scientists discovered that, when cocoa trees are planted in high-stress environments, they are more likely to produce better beans. Typically, these trees are grown in humid and hot climates close to the Equator. They are also raised near other types of trees which provide vital shade and cool the air. This system provides a low-stress environment.

In order to reach higher yields, cocoa trees are sometimes planted in solitary areas. This way, they are exposed to a high-stress environment. In response to this, these trees can produce antioxidants that change the quality of the beans by making them more flavorful.

To conduct their research, the scientists harvested beans from five cocoa tree farms in Bolivia. These beans were collected at the beginning and the end of the season, which spans from April to September. Some of the cocoa trees were planted in low-stress environments and others in high-stress ones. The beans were dried and then analyzed. Researchers found only minor differences among ones which were harvested from the farms in the same weather conditions.

The biggest differences were noticed in the beans which were harvested in different weather conditions. When these were compared, the antioxidants levels were bigger in the ones who were harvested during the dry season. This was due to the fact that soil moisture decreases because of the rising temperatures.

The study shows that some weather conditions can actually influence the flavor of the beans produced by cocoa trees.

Specialists are warning that the Sumatran tiger population is still facing extinction risks.

New data shows that Sumatran tigers population is still on a downward slope. From 2000 to 2012, the Sumatran tiger population dropped by more than 16.6%. There are only an estimated 400-500 tigers. The biggest problem is that these animals are also losing their habitat, besides decreasing in numbers.

The Sumatran Tiger is Losing its Home

The Sumatran tiger is a subspecies of this big cat which is only found in Sumatra, an Indonesian island. Experts observed that the number of specimens in this species is getting lower every year, despite being considered an endangered species which ensures its already being under protection. Another cause for the decline of the population is the fact that there are not enough females left to repopulate.

Conservationists observed that there are almost no more females capable of reproducing left. The number of females who are able to reproduce is very important for any species. This is how experts figure out the long-term survival chances for the species. It is essential for every species to have females in order to have a higher chance of increasing the population.

Another great problem for this animal is poaching. Experts explained that poaching along with deforestation are the leading causes for the possible extinction of the Sumatran tiger. This subspecies has no chance if these habits continue.

“We’re really at a tipping point in terms of how much habitat is left that tigers need for their long-term survival,” mentioned one of the researchers invvolved in the analysis.

Researchers are even more concerned about this population since these tigers are extinct in Bali, Singapore, and Java. In the last 20 years, conservationists have tried to protect the Sumatran tiger from going extinct. While the poaching problem is seemingly resolving, the deforestation and the loss of habitat due to new construction is still pressuring the animals to find another place to live.

It is very important to help endangered animals such as the Sumatran tiger if we want to have diversity and a healthy ecosystem.

Scientists have discovered the skeleton of an extinct species of sea cow, one without its head but otherwise perfectly preserved. This was found on a remote Russian island.

This particular skeleton was discovered after some of its ribs were noticed as they were sticking out of the sand. After about eight hours of digging, researchers had unearthed the entire creature, which was about twenty feet long. The specialists were able to identify many different bones, including a left scapula, 27 ribs, and 45 vertebrae.

The Sea Cow Skeleton and its Origin

The almost perfectly preserved specimen is a Steller’s sea cow, which was named for George Steller. In 1741, this became the first European scientist to discover the species. As it is, this latter had a rather short story, as it only survived for another 27 years before going extinct in 1768.

According to historical records, sea cows could grow up to thirty feet long and weigh as much as ten tons. They lived in slow-moving groups and ate grass off the floor of the sea.

Steller, whose crew ate them to survive during their exploration, says that they had four inches of blubber that tasted like almond oil. Supposedly, a single specimen could feed 33 men for a full month. The species was quickly brought to extinction as hunters almost certainly killed more than they could eat. Apparently, they also overestimated the number of specimens that were available for consumption.

According to researchers from George Mason University, the species, which is part of the Hydrodamalis genus of the order Sirenia, is believed to have once had an expansive range during the Late Miocene, Pliocene, and Pleistocene Eras. Fossils show that it lived from Japan down to Baja California. However, by Steller’s time, environmental factors seem to have limited them only to the Bering Sea, between Russia and Alaska.

Four species of Sirenia remain alive today, in the Dugongidae (dugong) and Trichechidae (manatee) families.

Everyone must remember what a struggle Tweety the yellow canary had to endure to get away from Sylvester the cat’s claws every time he tried to eat him. Those endless chases which usually didn’t end well for the poor cat are fresh in the memory of many people. Well, according to a recent study which the journal Biological Conservation recently published, cats in Australia don’t have time to get bored. Reports are saying that each day, cats (both pet and feral ones) catch and eat over one million birds.

This means that each year, cats on the Australian continent eat over 300 million little birds. It seems like those cats are not joking around. Their favorite afternoon snack is usually a poor bird that is completely unaware of what’s to come out of the bushes. It may sound like a cruel thing, but it’s the circle of life. Moreover, those numbers are not that impressive when you know that there are 11 billion birds in Australia. This means that cats only eat about 4% of them.

The Sylvester and Tweety effect

It’s also worth noting that when compared with what is happening in the United States, where cats kill over 2.4 billion birds each year, Australia is not that bad. This doesn’t mean that experts are happy with this situation and not worried about what’s happening. The main problem with cats is that they also kill about 71 endangered species of birds during their killing spree. This is a worrying precedent. Especially when you think that in the United States, cats have made 33 species of birds go extinct in a few years.

As for Australia, it has reportedly allocated about $23 million to efforts of reducing the impact cats have on the bird population. The country even wants to begin making some so-called “cat free areas”. This way, endangered species of bird could live in peace and not under the terror of those fluffy devils.

A worrying situation

It’s no secret that animals in Australia are almost overtaking the people living there. The populations of kangaroos and rabbits number more individuals than that of people. Magpies are also a danger. Every September, people must take precautions to protect themselves and their properties from them.

On Monday, some attorneys made the official announcement regarding a settlement involving the copyrights to the famous monkey selfie. It seems like the photographer whose camera was taken by the macaque agreed to donate 25% of the revenue he will get from this photo to charities which are protecting the crested macaques in Indonesia. The attorneys for both the PETA group and the photographer, David Slater, said that the case should have been dismisses because animals cannot possibly own copyrights. Meanwhile, Slater’s attorney didn’t provide any details regarding the sum his client received over the photo. Also, he didn’t say whether or not Slater would keep the remaining 75% of the profit.

Copyrights for the monkey selfie

Back in 2015, PETA filed a lawsuit which was in a way on behalf of the monkey that took it. They said that it needed to gain control over the financial benefits from that photo. Also, that it was all for the monkey’s best. His name is supposedly Naruto and it took the famous photo while the photographer was on the Island of Sulawesi, in Indonesia. In a common statement, both Slater and PETA said that they are going to continue their efforts to extend some rights to animals too.

According to Slater’s lawyers, his company called Wildlife Personalities Ltd, actually had the rights to the photos of the macaque, for worldwide commercial purposes. According to Slater, this photograph wasn’t the result of an accident. Back in 2008, he travelled to the Island of Sulawesi in Indonesia. He spent three days surrounded by a group of wild monkeys. His plan was to manage to gain their trust. During all this time, he would place his camera in intentionally accessible places for the monkeys to take and use.

A world-famous selfie

It seems like this is the fascinating story behind the worldwide famous selfie which a crested macaque decided to take one day. His grin can be now seen in a lot of places. It has become some kind of international symbol for selfies. One thing is certain, those animals need protection. Right now, PETA seems to be doing a good job. However, we should not stop ourselves from smiling whenever we see this photo. Chances are, it won’t happen again soon.

August 07 came with the last Partial Lunar Eclipse ahead of the Solar one and also a Full Moon.

Most sky gazers living in the Eastern Hemisphere will have the chance to watch a Partial Lunar Eclipse ahead of the Great American Eclipse which will be taking place exactly two weeks later, on August 21.

This lunar eclipse will be most visible from several parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. It will be peaking at around 02:20 p.m. EDT or 1820 GMT. Even those that will not be in the path of this lunar event will still be able to enjoy the full moon on this summer’s night sky.

In the Old Farmer’s Almanac, August’s full moon is called the Full Sturgeon Moon or the Blueberry Moon, among others.

Partial Lunar Eclipse Ahead of the Total Solar Eclipse

The August 07 Partial Lunar Eclipse will not be visible across the world as some parts of the planet will be turned away from the Moon and in the daylight. This will be the case for both North and South America. People living in some parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia, will be able to able to watch the event.

This is approximated to begin at 11:45 a.m. EDT or 1545 GMT and will probably last up to 03:20 p.m. EDT or 1920 GMT. It is the last partial lunar eclipse ahead of the Great American Eclipse which will be taking place on August 21. Both events will be taking place at around the same moments in the day. Namely, in late morning to late afternoon. While this will prevent the lunar event from being visible, it will be offering the best looks at the solar phenomenon.

August 07 Is Also Coming with a Full Moon

Those unable to watch the partial lunar eclipse will nonetheless still be able to enjoy this month’s full moon. As pointed out in the Old Farmer’s Almanac, this has several names, each chosen based on local customs and traditions.

For example, one of its best-known appellations is the Full Sturgeon Moon, a variant common among some Native American tribe. According to custom, sturgeon in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain were more easily caught during the August full moon.

Others call this the Full Red Moon, as while rising, Earth’s natural satellite appears to have a reddish tint. Some call it the Grain Moon or the Green Corn Moon.

A team of scientists just detected another potential threat to bees and the pollination process. According to a new study on the matter, pollination, be in nocturnal or diurnal, might be affected by light pollution.

This comes beside the decreasing number of bee colonies, which are still falling. The reduced number of bees is perceived as being one of the biggest threats to biodiversity and plant pollination.

Light Pollution to Affect Both Nocturnal and Diurnal Pollination

University of Bern researchers are behind this new study. They recently released a paper with their results in the journal Nature. This points out and explains the potentially harmful effects of artificial lighting, especially on nocturnal pollinators. However, they noted that daytime or diurnal pollinators might be affected by artificial light.

The study team used mobile street lamps to analyze the effects of artificial light on bees. They turned them on an illuminated one-half of an area of 14 plots in the pre-Alps in Switzerland. The other half of them was used as a control region for the study.

After analyzing the research observations, the team concluded that the land plots illuminated by the artificial light were visited by 62 percent fewer pollinating insects. At least when compared to the control plots. Also, the diversity of these pollinators was also 29 percent lower when compared to the other land areas.

The pollinators affected by nocturnal light pollution included bees, beetles, flies, and moths.

Light Pollution Also Affecting Diurnal Pollinators

The study team also noted that the pollinating insects could be affected not by the light pollution itself, but by its after effects. Namely, as the nocturnal pollinator numbers start reducing, the daytime ones cannot keep up with the production.

In turn, this can lead to a lower fruit production, and even to fewer food sources for the pollinators themselves. As a result, the number of pollinators can start dropping, and the insects would enter a vicious circle.

Still, the researchers point out that more studies on this matter are needed. Ones that would focus specifically on the effects of light pollution on daytime pollinators. Even research that might determine its long-term effects.

A new study predicts that key crops could start losing their nutritious value.

A new study from Harvard University spells trouble for the world as it claims that some of our key crops are becoming less nutritious and losing their protein content. According to the team, this may be happening due to the increase in carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases levels.

Although not the first research to point out the effects of climate change on agriculture, this latest report offers one of the grimmest outlooks yet on the matter.

Key Crops to Lose Proteins, Become Weaker in the Face of Extreme Weather Events

Previous research on the effects of climatic change on agricultural practices underlined the need of changing and adapting to the more extreme weather phenomena. As such, specialists should find solutions in case of floods, droughts, storms, heatwaves, or famines. More social-related events such as conflicts and refugee crises were also included on the list.

However, the sharp rise in temperatures, especially in some areas, for example, South Asia and the sub-Saharan Africa are making it almost impossible to adapt. This also pointed out the need of changing food growing practices to ensure survival.

Now, a new study from Harvard University scientist found that humanity may be even harder hit by the changing weather and its damages to agriculture than previously believed. According to their results, key crops will start losing their nutritious value. In turn, this might lead to millions of people put at the risk of protein deficiency by as soon as 2050.

The research team drew its results on data gathered from specific experiments. These tested the effects of exposing projected atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations on crops. Through these, they noted that the high exposure to CO2 would lead to protein disappearance.

Their calculations state that, by 2050, some 150 million people across 47 countries, might face protein deficiency. The key crops included in the study are potatoes, wheat, rice, and barley. While the first will be slightly less affected, in the case of the former, the protein drainage could reach 14.6 percent.